Slang, jargon,
linguistic taboos and
euphemisms
Dr S. Ashikuti
What is slang?
Slang is the use of non-standard vocabulary, phrases, idioms, grammar shared by
people of a subgroup.
Slang is actually characterised mainly by the vocabulary (words and phrases) used.
The structure and grammar of slang stays closely related to the standard language.
Types of slang include sports slang, music slang, student slang etc.
Slang typically reflects a person’s age.
Slang changes with time and it differs from society to society even when it is of
the same language, i.e. American English slang, Namibian English slang etc.
Slang and Social Class
Slang is used to include peers and exclude senior speakers
of the language.
This might be due to peer pressure not to conform to
societal norms.
Slang becomes a solidarity marker as it shows a kind of
membership to a close-knit social group.
Slang users want to include all their “chommies/bras” but
exclude the “zalies, toppies (the rents)”.
Examples of Namibian English slang
words/phrases
To ghost
someone= To To catch feelings= The rents= the
ignore someone To get offended parents
suddenly
To dribble/to Don’t be so emo.=
Otherwise? =How
“skruf”= to play Don’t be so
are you?
someone emotional.
Commie/bra/jita
Munchies= food Booze= alcohol
=friend
What is Jargon?
Jargon is a specialised language belonging exclusively to a group- often a profession.
Different industries i.e. engineering, academia, nursing, law, medicine all use jargon to
exchange complex information efficiently.
Jargon is often unintelligible to those outside the group that uses it.
The negative feelings we have about jargon are because its use in a conversation can
either include or exclude us.
When speakers use words and phrases that act as a barrier because we do not know
them, we feel excluded. We might even feel stupid.
Legal Jargon: The Namibian
Constitution, Articles 5 and 6
Article 5 Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
The fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter shall be
respected and upheld by the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary and all
organs of the Government and its agencies and, where applicable to
them, by all natural and legal persons in Namibia, and shall be
enforceable by the Courts in the manner hereinafter prescribed.
Article 6 Protection of Life
The right to life shall be respected and protected. No law may prescribe
death as a competent sentence. No Court or Tribunal shall have the
power to impose a sentence of death upon any person. No executions
shall take place in Namibia.
Discussion
In your language and culture, what are some things that one should
never utter/say in the following contexts?
In the presence of older people
In the presence of your parents/guardians
In the presence of people of the opposite sex
What punishment exists if one utters such things?
Linguistic Taboos
Linguistic taboos are words and phrases/expressions that are
generally considered inappropriate in certain contexts.
Taboo words or phrases/expressions are those that are to be avoided
entirely, or at least avoided in “mixed company” or “polite company”,
i.e. profane words.
What counts as taboo language is defined by culture, and not by
anything inherent to the language.
Consequently, what is taboo in a specific linguistic environment may
not necessary be taboo in another.
In many cultures, talking about sex, infertility, menstruation, suicide,
pregnancy, wealth is limited to specific contexts.
Linguistic taboos around the world
Linguistic taboos require people to be age, status, and sex conscious.
Worldwide, there exist specific language that is used when addressing
royalty; similarly, certain words are forbidden.
In some African countries, spouses are not allowed to address each
other by their first names.
The same often applies when addressing one’s in-laws. This is known
as avoidance speech.
In some cultures, men and women are not allowed to directly address
their parents-in-law.
What do you notice about the
headlines below?
Euphemisms
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted
for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to
something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Original term Euphemism
Died Passed away, departed, left
Old people Senior citizens, the seniors
The dead The deceased/the late
Disabled Differently-abled
Committed suicide Took their (own) life
Abortion Terminating a pregnancy
